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Unexpected
Aspects in Dogon Art The story of an experienced tribal hiker Marchinus Hofkamp author. A4, soft cover book, 115 pages, 300 photographs - price : € 29,- plus shipping costs This sculpture on the book cover comes from the Pinari, a very rural area of the Dogon Country – without tourism. Its shapes are reminiscent of the work of Ossip Zadkine, one of the sculptors who were strongly inspired by African art. Unusual forms are some of the unexpected aspects of this book. |
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Explanation
Although “African art” in the Western world is preferably collected for its beauty, in the African continent itself the tribal story’s belonging to these artefacts are the most important.
After working for two years as a tropical doctor in Congo, I looked, since 1985 for a way to visit Africa again,but now in an area where it was somewhat easier to travel. The country of the Dogon in Mali turned out to be such an area. During many years, I travelled there during my vacations, and I hiked in a very basic way. Warmed by the sun and uplifted by the wonderful landscape, the hospitality of the Dogon, their customs and the stories surrounding them, and by the closely related artistic expressions. Much of that art is, even now, disappearing, often associated with changing customs, mainly caused by increasing Islamization. A welcome resource for local trade in tribal art. Without the accompanying stories these ethnographic objects can of course still be quite beautiful, but they also become "displaced". 'Orphaned beauty', and that is regrettable.
Against that background it was obvious to me that in this book 'beauty of art’ for once should not be the main theme, although you will find enough beauty to enjoy in it. In addition to a glimpse into the country and local customs, you will above all find sculptures, masks and stories, which surprised me.
Many unexpected aspects and backgrounds, that you will barely or not at all find in the usual art books about the Dogon people. In addition to a remarkable diversity of forms in which "beauty" of art is often absolutely central, a range of aspects associated with religion and customs, are discussed. Animism – the belief that everyone and everything has a soul – takes herein an important place. To mention some of these aspects: the function of images - the hidden face - nail fetishes - double sex (hermaphroditism)- transformation - animal figures - oracle figurines. Gladly I share this expressive art, and the stories behind it. Because of these local stories I obtained many answers to questions I had, but there are still many questions that remained unanswered. And, as it is the case with any investigation, answers raise new questions. Art, and especially the ethnographic art, continues to intrigue.
The book can be ordered by using this contact form.
Although “African art” in the Western world is preferably collected for its beauty, in the African continent itself the tribal story’s belonging to these artefacts are the most important.
After working for two years as a tropical doctor in Congo, I looked, since 1985 for a way to visit Africa again,but now in an area where it was somewhat easier to travel. The country of the Dogon in Mali turned out to be such an area. During many years, I travelled there during my vacations, and I hiked in a very basic way. Warmed by the sun and uplifted by the wonderful landscape, the hospitality of the Dogon, their customs and the stories surrounding them, and by the closely related artistic expressions. Much of that art is, even now, disappearing, often associated with changing customs, mainly caused by increasing Islamization. A welcome resource for local trade in tribal art. Without the accompanying stories these ethnographic objects can of course still be quite beautiful, but they also become "displaced". 'Orphaned beauty', and that is regrettable.
Against that background it was obvious to me that in this book 'beauty of art’ for once should not be the main theme, although you will find enough beauty to enjoy in it. In addition to a glimpse into the country and local customs, you will above all find sculptures, masks and stories, which surprised me.
Many unexpected aspects and backgrounds, that you will barely or not at all find in the usual art books about the Dogon people. In addition to a remarkable diversity of forms in which "beauty" of art is often absolutely central, a range of aspects associated with religion and customs, are discussed. Animism – the belief that everyone and everything has a soul – takes herein an important place. To mention some of these aspects: the function of images - the hidden face - nail fetishes - double sex (hermaphroditism)- transformation - animal figures - oracle figurines. Gladly I share this expressive art, and the stories behind it. Because of these local stories I obtained many answers to questions I had, but there are still many questions that remained unanswered. And, as it is the case with any investigation, answers raise new questions. Art, and especially the ethnographic art, continues to intrigue.
The book can be ordered by using this contact form.